A huge congratulations to our u18s squad who tonight produced a thoroughly professional performance to see off Airdrie in the 4th Round of the Scottish FA Youth Cup. The young group now advance to the last 8 of the national cup for the first time since 2012 when Stuart Rome's squad, including current first team top scorer Gavin Reilly, made the final.
Queens almost took the lead inside the 1st minute when a deep cross landed on the crossbar with the visiting keeper beaten. However, nerves were apparent and twice in the opening 15 minutes the visitors could, and perhaps should, have taken the lead. Gradually though the young Doonhamers took over control of the game and 25 minutes in it was winger Billy Gray, still only 15 years old, who absolutely lashed Queens in front from just inside the penalty area.
It got better for Queens 12 minutes later when a deep cross from the right found the unmarked Callum Hill to nod past the visiting keeper from close range and double the advantage.
With confidence now high the young Doonhamers began knocking the ball around very nicely against an Airdrie side who had beaten us just last week in the league.
Half time: QoS 2 - 0 Airdrie
The second half saw more of the same. Generally QoS controlled the play but Airdrie continued to threaten on the break. Centre backs Lewis Currie and Niall Rogerson though were always in command at the back.
The longer the game went on, the more stretched and end to end things got, as the youngsters on both sides tired. Never the less, it looked like we would get to the final whistle without further goals. That was until the 91st minute when Harry McLinden, who grabbed a hat trick against Auchinleck in an earlier round, and who worked tirelessly all night tonight, broke clear up the right before producing an outrageous chipped finish from 25 yards to seal the win and spark a melee of celebrations from the whole squad.
An outstanding performance and result and we await the quarter final draw with with interest.
Final score: QoS 3 - 0 Airdrie
Team: Mark Thomson, Cammy Bryson, Finlay Kennedy, Alex O'Hagan, Niall Rogerson, Lewis Currie (C), Callum Hill, Matt Hall, Harry McLinden, Shay Meagher, Billy Gray
Subs: Taylor Davidson, Cammy Edgar, Liam Hawes, Adam Wilde, Finlay Millar, Kylan Hunter and Johnny Green